A super predator, a master stalker with acute senses and finely tuned ambushing skills. Welcome to the world of leopards, an aloof and mysterious place where only the strongest of cats survive. Leopards can be found hiding out in drainage lines, watching the world from the safety of termite mounds and trees, or patrolling their newly acquire territories. These slender cats aren’t quite as sedentary as lions, which makes them very tricky to spot. This week, it’s time to celebrate their presence. Considering we’ve had an abundance of sightings during the week across all the reserves, they deserve a bit of air-time.
Each reserve has their dominant cats with unique markings and personalities. Here is our ode to the leopards of Kruger.
On Wednesday there was a brief but breathtaking sighting of a leopard leaping into the darkness. Recently, the leopard sightings have been plentiful in the Sabi Sand and this week was no different. Stoic male Mxabene was seen on waterbuck kill close to the lodge, Little Bush and White Dam were seen patrolling areas, fine tuning their kill tactics and darting between drainage lines. Tatowa, the young leopardess, planned and executed a kill right in front of guests!
Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge and Ezulwini River Lodge
Chavaluthu, the Balule’s blue-eyed boy, is often seen while out on evening game drives. His reflective blue-green eyes make him one of the Balule’s most recognizable leopards. The Van Wijk’s leopardess, with her sleek body and nonchalent attitude, is another big cat who is making her presence known. Over the past couple of week’s guests had an incredible sighting of the Van Wijk’s leopardess attemping to steal lesser-spotted Manana’s impala kill. The stakes are high when it comes to competing for prey and territory with this species.
nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot
The leopard sightings in the Klaserie are on the increase and firm favourite, leopardess Cleo, has been spotted on a regular basis. She’s unfazed by the presence of vehicles and always remains firm in the limelight.
A couple of days ago an unknown leopardess was spotted with cubs. Seemingly shy and rather coy, she didn’t spend too long hanging around. She is obviously still very protective over her young cubs. They appeared to be on the periphery of Ross Dam’s turf, which makes things interesting – unless it is Ross Dam.
This morning, the Marula female was spotted while out on the daily morning game drive – a great sighting just in time for week in pictures. Other leopards we see are Ross Dam, Zero and White Rock.
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